1. Surf culture in Sumner by Tom Irwin

2. Sumner is a suburb of Christchurch. However there is something about Sumner that is different from many of the other suburbs. Sumner has a surf culture that is easy to see and experience. For example many of the business in Sumner are related to surfing and many of the people who live there are surfers. The following slides show the Sumner surf culture.

3. A surf board and wave is part of the Marine Bar and Backpackers advertising sign. The Marine sponsors the local rugby club, so even the rugby club has a surf board on it.

4. One of the local fish and chip shops is called the Red Snapper. The street sign advertising the shop shows a fish on a surf board.

5. There are two surf shops in Sumner and they are both right in the middle of town so you can’t help but notice them. They both sell surf boards but mostly surf clothing. Wearing surf clothing is really popular, and people of all ages dress in clothing with labels such as Rip Curl and Quicksilver.

6. The Liquefy surf shop has a rack outside it on the footpath that displays boards for sale and rent. The surf boards displayed on the main street give a feel that surfing happens all the time, all year round, and that everyone might be interested in surfing.

7. Some shops and even some restaurants have surfboards hanging on the walls as a kind of art. There is an art shop has art in the shape of surfboards hanging on the walls.

8. Some houses have old surfboards in the garden. One restaurant in Sumner uses surfboards as ornaments and furniture. These old surfboards and surf board furniture make it seem as though it is close to the beach and remind you of surfing in Sumner.

9. There are always people learning to surf in Sumner and there are several surf schools. One business teaches over 2000 children to surf each summer.

10. Surfing is everywhere in Sumner. There are even notices to sell surf boards outside the supermarket on the notice board.

11. Surfing is a big part of living in Sumner. In fact it would be hard to live in Sumner without thinking of surfing as part of what makes Sumner - Sumner.